Search launched for first Filipino astronaut

A model of the space ship that will carry a Filipino into space in 2014. Raffy Tima

After making significant contributions to the field of space exploration, the Philippines may now finally make its mark on space itself: a private company has announced an undertaking to select and train the first ever Filipino astronaut.

Men's personal care brand Axe is teaming with American space travel agency Space Expedition Corp. (Space XC) in a global project to send civilians to space.

"The program we've launched is an opportunity for our great nation to join the global community in taking the next big leap.  We're very excited to meet the first Pinoy astronaut.  It could be anyone," said Axe brand manager in the Philippines Gem Laforteza.

Dubbed "Axe Apollo Space Academy (AASA)," the marketing campaign involves a selection process to determine who the "First Filipino Astronaut" would be.

Initially, 10,000 people who sign up for the mission at www.AxeApollo.com will be invited to go through a series of challenges.

The two candidates found most fit will then undergo training at the Axe Apollo Global Space Camp in Orlando, Florida.

"After spending some time in space camp, one of the two Filipino representatives will be handed the mission to go where no Filipino has gone before," Axe Philippines said.

Filipinos in NASA

While this may be the first time for a Filipino to go into space, Pinoys have long been making their mark in space exploration.

In fact, Filipinos play key roles in various space-related projects and missions in NASA.

Some of the Filipino achievers working in the most well-known space agency are Filipino-American engineer Gregory Villar, and Lloyd Manglapus. Both are working in various capacities on the Mars mission Curiosity rover.

Another Pinoy in NASA, Dr. Ralph Basilio, is the lead person behind NASA's carbon dioxide research in space.

Philippine  Space Agency

Meanwhile, on Dec. 14, 2012, scientists and astronomy advocates united to push for the establishment of a Philippine Space Agency.

The proposed space agency "intends to conduct studies on space science and technologies, design, and develop satellites that will be launched in space, and possibly train astronauts," according to an earlier report.

The country used to have a research project with NASA in the 1990's but turned out to be unsuccessful, according to the report. (http://bit.ly/ZJmrez)

GMA News

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Philippines plans to purchase 10 coast guard vessels from Japan: official

Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said today that the plan to acquire 10 coast guard vessels from Japan would be among topics of his meeting with visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida Wednesday.

At a press briefing held in Manila today, del Rosario said he would also discuss with Kishida the expansion of the Light Rail Transit - South line from Baclaran to Cavite and East line from Marikina to Antipolo.

The two officials are also expected to finalize Manila's acquisition of 10 Multi-Role Response Vessels (MRRV).

Del Rosario said these projects will be implemented through soft loans or loans that have low interest rates with flexible payment terms under Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA).

Kishida will kick off his two-day visit to the Philippines on Wednesday night, as the first leg of his first overseas trip after being appointed as Japan's top diplomat. (http://bit.ly/WNrXWX)

philSTAR

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FMIC sees Philippine economy growing 7.5-8% in 2013

Photo: yahoo.com

The First Metro Investment Group sees 2013 to be another banner year for the Philippines, expecting the domestic economy to expand by 7.5-8 percent alongside a benign inflation environment, record-low interest rates and a bullish stock market.

The above-trend economic growth forecast for 2013 is seen supporting a 20-percent average growth in corporate earnings and, in turn, propelling the main-share Philippine Stock Exchange index toward 6,800 this year.

Heavy election spending, increased infrastructure projects, robust consumer and service sectors and stronger tourism and gaming are seen as supporting a gross domestic product (GDP) growth of above 7.5 percent in 2013, much higher than the country's trend growth of below 5 percent prior to the last presidential elections in 2010.

"With a 7.1 percent increase in GDP in the third quarter of 2012, a lower-than-expected inflation rate of 3.2 percent, gross international reserves rising rapidly that have reached $84.1 billion and a debt-to-GDP ratio that has fallen below 50 percent, the Philippines is definitely now on the rise," said FMIC chairman Francisco Sebastian.

"The economy is in an unprecedented growth momentum, supported by solid fundamentals," he said.

Interest rates are anticipated to further ease due to lower inflation, a much-awaited upgrade to a sovereign investment grade rating, massive liquidity and limited supply of Philippine debt papers.

"As a result of robust economic growth, the government's pungent anti-corruption stance that has improved tax administration and with new tax revenue sources, budget deficit will remain low and may not reach P200 billion or 1.5-1.6 percent of GDP," said FMIC president Roberto Juanchito Dispo.

Economist Victor Abola of the University of Asia and the Pacific, FMIC's partner in its monthly research publication, said public sector consolidation would be a necessary condition to the country's take-off. "It's a very important development that debt-to-GDP ratio falls below 50 percent this year and will progressively go down further. The debt-to-GDP ratio is below Malaysia's and by the end of this year, will be below Thailand's," he said.

With this fiscal consolidation, Abola said that public infrastructure spending could go full-blast while private sector and consumer spending as well as investments would likewise turn robust.

"For an economy growing at a fast pace, all engines must be in high speed and we're seeing both public and private sector doing that," he said. (http://is.gd/U6Gs2H)

Inquirer 

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